Open top container with reinforced top rail

ABSTRACT

An open top container for transporting loads and a rail for strengthening an upper rim of the container&#39;s peripheral wall. The rail includes a U-shaped first region including first, second, and third legs secured end-to-end; and an F-shaped second region comprising a base with first and second arms extending downwardly from the base. The base is secured end-to-end with the third leg of the first region. A first strengthening rib extends outwardly from the first region and toward the container&#39;s wall. The first rib is laterally spaced from the wall but runs parallel thereto for substantially the entire length of the rail. A second rib vertically spaced from the first rib but parallel thereto may also extend outwardly from the first region and toward the container&#39;s wall. The rail increases progressively in thickness from the first leg to the second leg, then the third leg, and finally the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/484,882filed Sep. 12, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to large transport vehicles. Moreparticularly this invention relates to open top containers that areutilized to transport loads. Specifically, this invention is directed toan open-top container that has a top rail that is reinforced byincreasing the thickness of various portions of the rail and byincluding one or more strengthening ribs that are offset from thecontainer's wall and are spaced laterally therefrom; and which ribs runparallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail for substantially anentire length of the rail.

2. Background Information

Open top containers are utilized in the transportation industry to holdloads that need to be moved from one location to another. The containersinclude a floor and at least three side walls. The fourth side wall maycomprise a hinged door that is opened so that a load can be packed intothe trailer's interior and then closed for transport. Alternatively, thetrailer may include four side walls and the load is placed in theinterior and removed therefrom via the opening defined by the top railor rim of the trailer's side walls.

Typically, the floor is reinforced and sturdy in that it has to hold theload thereon. The top rail is also relative stiff and rigid but thetrailer's side walls are less substantial and less rigid. If a load isplaced into and removed from the trailer by reaching over the top railthere is a risk that the top rail will be forced downwardly. As thisoccurs, the side walls may buckle and become permanently dented orotherwise damaged.

There is therefore a need in the art for an improved open top trailer.

SUMMARY

An open top container for transporting loads and a rail forstrengthening an upper rim of the container's peripheral wall. The railincludes a U-shaped first region including first, second, and third legssecured end-to-end; and an F-shaped second region comprising a base withfirst and second arms extending downwardly from the base. The base issecured end-to-end with the third leg of the first region. A firststrengthening rib extends outwardly from the first region and toward thecontainer's wall. The first rib is laterally spaced from the wall butruns parallel thereto for substantially the entire length of the rail. Asecond rib vertically spaced from the first rib but parallel thereto mayalso extend outwardly from the first region and toward the container'swall. The rail increases progressively in thickness from the first legto the second leg, then the third leg, and finally the base.

In one aspect, the invention may provide a rail for engagement with alongitudinally extending upper rim of a wall of an open-top container;where the rail runs substantially the entire length of that upper rim;and the rail comprises:

-   -   a generally U-shaped first region including a first leg, a        second leg, and a third leg secured to each other in end-to-end        relationship; and    -   a generally F-shaped second region comprising a base with a        first arm and second arm extending outwardly away from a first        side of the base; and wherein an end of the base is secured to a        third leg of the arm; said second region being adapted to        receive the upper rim of the wall of the container between the        first and second arms, where the second arm is substantially at        an opposite end of the base from the third leg; and the first        region is offset from the wall; and    -   a first strengthening rib is provided on the first region, said        first rib extending for substantially the entire length of the        rail.        In another aspect, the invention may provide an open top        container comprising:    -   a floor;    -   a wall extending vertically upwardly from the floor and bounding        and defining a compartment adapted to carry a load therein;    -   a rail provided along an upper rim of the wall, said rail        running substantially an entire length of the upper rim; and        wherein said rail includes a first rib that runs substantially        parallel to the wall and extends for substantially an entire        length of the rail.

The invention may further provide an open top container where the firstrib is laterally spaced from the wall and where a second rib is providedvertically spaced from the first rib and parallel thereto; and thesecond rib is also laterally spaced from the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode inwhich Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth inthe following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularlyand distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tractor trailer which includes an open topcontainer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section through a top rail of a PRIOR ART open topcontainer taken at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the rail andwall;

FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-section through a top rail of an open toptrailer in accordance with an aspect of the present invention with thecross-section being taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, i.e., at rightangles to a longitudinal axis of the rail and side wall;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-section of the first highlighted region ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-section of the second highlighted region ofFIG. 3.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a large transport truck 10 includinga tractor 12 and trailer 14. Tractor and trailer 12, 14 include aplurality of ground-engaging wheels 16 for moving the vehicle over aroad surface 18. A landing gear 20 is provided on trailer 14.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, truck 10 furtherincludes an open top container in accordance with the present invention,generally indicated at 22. Container 22 may form an integral part oftrailer 14 or may be separable therefrom. For the purpose of descriptiononly, container 22 as illustrated comprises an integral part of trailer14. Container 22 includes a floor/bottom wall 24, a front wall 26, arear wall 28, and a pair of opposed side walls 30, only one of the sidewalls 30 being is illustrated in the attached figures. Front wall 26,side walls 30, and rear wall 28 extend vertically upwardly from thefloor/bottom wall 24. Front wall 26, side walls 30 and rear wall 28 forma peripheral wall which bounds and defines an interior compartmentwithin container 22 and which is adapted to carry a load therein. Rearwall 28 or a portion of side wall 30 may comprise or include a door thatis hingedly engaged to an adjacent region of container 22 and ispivotable between open and closed positions. When the door is pivoted tothe open position, access to the interior compartment of container 22 ispossible. When the door is open then the load may be placed into thecompartment or removed therefrom. If no door is provided in theperipheral wall of the compartment 22, then the load is placed in thecompartment and removed from the compartment over the upper rim of thatperipheral wall.

FIG. 2 shows a PRIOR ART top rail which is provided around an upper rimof an open top container with the PRIOR ART top rail being indicated at100. Top rail 100 is shown engaged with a wall 102 of a PRIOR ARTcontainer. Top rail 100 includes a generally U-shaped first region whichis integrally formed with a generally F-shaped second region. TheU-shaped first region extends outwardly from the side wall in adirection toward the interior of the container. The first region iscomprised of a first leg 100 a, a second leg 100 b, and a third leg 100c. First, second and third legs 100 a, 100 b, 100 c are secured togetherend-to-end. First and second legs 100 a, 100 b meet at a corner 104 andare disposed at an angle “A” relative to each other. Second and thirdlegs 100 b, 100 c meet at a corner 106 and are disposed at an angle “B”relative to each other. Each of the angles “A” and “B” are obtuseangles, i.e., greater than 90°. Angle “A” preferably is about 130° andangle “B” is about 120°.

PRIOR ART top rail 100 further includes a generally F-shaped regionwhich comprises a base 108 a and a pair of arms 108 b, 108 c whichextend outwardly from a same side surface of base 108 a. An end of base108 a is secured to an end of third leg 100 c. Base 108 a and third leg100 c meet at a corner 110. Base 108 a is disposed at an angle “C”relative to third leg 100 c. Angle “C” is an obtuse angle, i.e., greaterthan 90°. Angle “C” preferably is about 150°. First and second arms 108b, 108 c extend outwardly from a same side of base 108 a and aredisposed at about 90° relative to base 108 a. First and second arms 108b, 108 c extend generally toward a first end 112 of first leg 100 a.First arm 108 b includes a rounded terminal end 114 which angles awayfrom second arm 108 b and toward second leg 100 b. Preferably, terminalend 114 is disposed at an angle of about 30° relative to the rest offirst arm 108 b. Second arm 108 c extends further outwardly from base108 a than does first arm 108 b, i.e., second arm 108 c is longer thanfirst arm 108 b. Second arm 108 c terminates in a rounded terminal end116. First and second arms 108 b, 108 c are spaced a distance laterallyfrom each other and define a gap 118 therebetween. The top end 102 a ofwall 102 is received into gap 118. Angled terminal end 114 of first arm108 b makes it easier to insert top end 102 a into gap 118 as the angleof end 114 guides top end 102 a into gap 118. Top end 102 a of wall 102is complementary in size to gap 118 and thus the top end is wedgedbetween first and second arms 108 b, 108 c. Additionally, end 112 offirst leg 100 a of rail 100 is adjacent the side surface of 102 b ofwall 102. End 112 urges side surface 102 b away from the U-shapedportion of rail 100 and toward second arm 108 c. The length of secondarm 108 c ensures that wall 102 is not forced out of gap 118.

FIG. 2 also shows that the PRIOR ART rail 100 has components ofdifferent thicknesses. First leg 100 a is of a thickness “T1”. Secondleg 100 b is of a thickness “T2”, third leg 100 c is of a thickness“T3”, base 108 a is of a thickness “T4”, first arm 108 b is of athickness “T5” and second arm 108 c is of a thickness “T6”. Preferably,thickness “T1” is 0.2 inches; “T2” is 0.3 inches; “T3” is 0.32 inches;“T4” is 0.375 inches; “T5” is 0.150 inches; and “T6” is 0.188 inches.Thus, second leg 100 b is 50% thicker than first leg 100 a, third leg100 c is about 7% thicker than second leg 100 b; and base 108 a is 17%thicker than third leg 100 c.

It should be noted that the first, second and third legs 100 a, 100 b,100 c, the base 108 a, and first and second arms 108 b, 108 c run theentire length of the rail 100. So, for example, if rail 100 is providedalong a side wall of the container, then all of the aforementioned legs100 a, 100 b, 100 c, base 108 a and arms 108 b, 108 c extend from thefront wall of the container to the rear wall thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a top rail 32extends around an upper rim of container 22 to strengthen the same andprovide rigidity to the structure. Top rail 32 preferably extends aroundthe entire upper rim of container 22 including front wall 26, side walls30 and rear wall 28.

FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B show a top rail 32 in cross-section. Top rail 32 isshown engaged with a side wall (or front or rear wall) of a container,where the side wall is indicated at 30. Top rail 32 includes a generallyU-shaped first region which extends outwardly from the side wall 30 andtoward the interior of the container 22. The U-shaped first region iscomprised of a first leg 36 a, a second leg 36 b, and a third leg 36 c.First, second and third legs 36 a, 36 b, 36 c are integral with eachother being secured together in end-to-end relationship. First andsecond legs 36 a, 36 b meet at an intersection, i.e., corner 38 and aredisposed at an angle “D” relative to each other. Second and third legs36 b, 36 c meet at an intersection, i.e., corner 40 and are disposed atan angle “E” relative to each other. Each of the angles “D” and “E” areobtuse angles, i.e., greater than 90°. Angle “D” preferably is about130° and angle “E” is about 120°.

The top rail 32 further includes a generally F-shaped second regionwhich comprises a base 42 a and a pair of arms 42 b, 42 c which extendoutwardly from a same side surface of base 42 a. Base 42 a is integralwith third leg 36 c and is secured thereto in end-to-end relationship.Base 42 a meets third leg 36 c at a corner 44 and is disposed at anangle “F” relative to third leg 36 c. Angle “F” is an obtuse angle,i.e., greater than 90°. Preferably, angle “F” is about 150°.

While the F-shaped second region is engaged with the container's wall30, as will be hereinafter described, the U-shaped first region isoffset from wall 30. First and second arms 42 b, 42 c extend outwardlyfrom base 42 a and are disposed at 90° relative to base 42 a. First andsecond arms 42 b, 42 c extend generally toward a first end 46 of firstleg 36 a. First arm 42 b includes a rounded terminal end 48 which anglesaway from second arm 42 b and toward second leg 36 b. Preferably,terminal end 48 is disposed at an angle of about 30° relative to therest of first arm 42 b. Second arm 42 c extends further outwardly frombase 42 a than does first arm 42 b. Second arm 42 c terminates in arounded terminal end 50. First and second arms 42 b, 42 c are spaced adistance laterally from each other and define a gap 52 therebetween. Thetop end 30 a of side wall 30 is received into gap 52. Angled terminalend 48 of first arm 42 b makes it easier to insert top end 30 a into gap52 as the angle of end 48 guides top end 30 a into gap 52. Top end 30 aof side wall 30 is complementary in size to gap 52 and thus the top end30 a is wedged between first and second arms 42 b, 42 c. Additionally,end 46 of first leg 36 a of rail contacts the side 30 b of side wall 30,and urges the same away from the U-shaped portion of rail 32 and towardsecond arm 42 c. The length of second arm 42 c ensures that side wall 30is not forced out of gap 52.

The first, second and third legs 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, the base 42 a andfirst and second arms 42 b, 42 c run the entire length of the rail 36.So, for example, if rail 36 is provided along a side wall of thecontainer, then all of the aforementioned legs 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, base 42a and arms 42 b, 42 c extend from the front wall of the container to therear wall thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a first bulbousrib 54 and a second bulbous rib 56 are provided on the U-shaped portionof rail 32. First rib 54 is provided at first corner 38 and extendsinwardly from an inside surface of first corner 38 and toward second arm42 c. First rig 54 is thus laterally spaced from wall 30 and extendsoutwardly from the first region and toward wall 30, terminating adistance laterally away from wall 30. Similarly second rib 56 isprovided at second corner 40 and extends inwardly from an inside surfaceof second corner 40 of the first region and toward second arm 42 c.Second rib 56 is thus offset relative to wall 30 and terminates adistance laterally away from wall 30. Each of the first and second ribs56, 58 run substantially the entire length of rail 32 and thusconstitute strengthening ribs for rail 32. Ribs 56, 58 are disposed aspaced distance vertically from each other and are parallel to eachother. Ribs 56, 58 are additionally substantially parallel to the planeof the wall 30 of container upon which they are located. So, forexample, ribs 56, 58 run substantially parallel to surface 30 b of sidewall 30. If rail 32 is part of front wall 26, then ribs 56, 58 in thatpart of rail 32 will run substantially parallel to the plane of frontwall 26.

First rib has a first side surface 54 a, a tip 54 b and a second sidesurface 54 c. First side surface 54 a is disposed at an acute angle “D1”(FIG. 3B) relative to first leg 36 a, i.e., at less than 90° relativethereto. Second side surface 54 b is disposed at an angle “D2” relativeto second leg 36 b. Preferably, angle “D2” is about 90°. Tip 54 bbetween first and second side surfaces 54 a, 54 c preferably is rounded.Side surface 54 c and side surface 56 c are about 0.797 inches in lengthfrom second leg 36 b. The radius of curvature between side surface 54 aand first leg 36 a is 0.2 and the radius of curvature between sidesurface 54 c and second leg 36 b is 0.2. The radius of curvature of tip56 b is 0.188.

Similarly, second rib 56 has a first side surface 56 a, a tip 56 b and asecond side surface 56 c. First side surface 56 a is disposed at anacute angle “E1” (FIG. 3A), i.e., less than 90°, relative to third leg36 c; and second side surface 56 a is disposed at an angle “E2” relativeto second leg 36 b. Preferably, angle “E2” is about 90°. Tip 56 b isrounded. The radius of curvature between side surface 56 a and third leg36 c is 0.2 and the radius of curvature between side surface 56 c andsecond leg 36 b is 0.2. The radius of curvature of tip 56 b is 0.188.Tips 54 b and 56 b are generally vertically aligned with eachother—i.e., ribs 54 and 56 extend generally toward wall 30 to the sameextent (i.e., ribs 54 and 56 are of the same width as measured outwardlyfrom second leg 36 b and toward wall 30.)

A gap 58 is defined between side surface 54 c and side surface 56 c. Thelength of second leg 36 b between side surface 54 c and side surface 56c preferably is about 1.513 inches.

FIG. 3 also shows that the rail 32 comprises component sections whichare of different thicknesses. First leg 36 a is of a thickness “T7”.Second leg 36 b is of a thickness “T8”; third leg 36 c is of a thickness“T9”, base 42 a is of a thickness “T10”, first arm 42 b is of athickness “T11”; and second arm 42 c is of a thickness “T12”. Thickness“T7” is 0.2 inches; thickness “T8” is 0.375 inches; thickness “T9” is0.625 inches; thickness “T10” is 0.625 inches; thickness “T11” is 0.15inches; and thickness “T12” is 0.188 inches. Consequently, second leg 36b is 87.5% thicker than first leg 36 a; third leg 36 c is 67% thickerthan second leg 36 b, and base 42 a is the same thickness as third leg36 b.

Furthermore, first leg 36 a is the same thickness as first leg 100 a ofthe PRIOR ART rail; second leg 36 b is 25% thicker than second leg 100 bof the PRIOR ART rail; third leg 36 c is 95% thicker than third leg 100c of the PRIOR ART rail; and base 42 a is about 67% thicker than thePRIOR ART base 108 a.

Thus, not only does the rail 32 of the present invention includes one ormore longitudinally extending strengthening ribs, rail 32 is alsosubstantially thicker than the PRIOR ART rail 100. Most particularly,the third leg 36 c and base 42 a are substantially thicker than thethird leg 100 c and base 108 a of the PRIOR ART rail 100. Mostspecifically, the third leg 36 c of the present invention is almostdouble the thickness of the third leg 100 c of the PRIOR ART rail 100and the base 42 a is two/thirds thicker than the base 108 a of the PRIORART rail 100.

It will be understood that while a first and second rib 54, 56 have beendisclosed as being provided on rail 32, only one of those ribs 54 or 56may be provided on rail 32 and the location of the rib does not have tobe in any particular location on the first region of the rail. However,locating a single rib at the intersection of second leg 36 b and thirdleg 36 c would be the preferred location for a single rib. It willfurther be understood that additional ribs in addition to first andsecond ribs 54, 56 could be provided on rail. For example, providing anadditional rib at the intersection of base 42 a and third leg 36 c couldprovide additional strength and rigidity to rail 32. The ribs 54, 56 andany additional ribs are most preferably located at the angledintersections between first, second and third legs, and third leg andbase 42 a as the tend to resist any tendency for rotation in either aclockwise or counterclockwise direction between the adjacent legs orbase of the rail. The ribs therefore aid in protecting the rail andthereby the wall against deforming when an external force is applied toany part of rail 32 during placement of a load into the container orwhen a load is removed therefrom.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the preferred embodimentof the invention are an example and the invention is not limited to theexact details shown or described.

1. An open top container comprising: a floor; a wall extendingvertically upwardly from the floor; wherein the floor and wall bound anddefine a compartment adapted to carry a load therein; a rail providedalong an upper rim of the wall, said rail running substantially anentire length of the upper rim; and a first rib running provided on therail, where the first rib is oriented substantially parallel to the walland extends for substantially an entire length of the rail.
 2. The opentop container as defined in claim 1, wherein the first rib is laterallyspaced from the wall.
 3. The open top container as defined in claim 1,wherein the rail includes a generally U-shaped first region and agenerally F-shaped second region; where the second region engages theupper rim of the wall; and the first region extends outwardly away froma side surface of the wall; and wherein the first rib is provided on thefirst region.
 4. The open top container as defined in claim 3, whereinthe first region includes a first leg extending toward the side surfaceof the wall and wherein a terminal end of the first leg is locatedadjacent the side surface of the wall.
 5. The open top container asdefined in claim 4, wherein the first region further includes a secondleg that is secured in end-to-end relationship with the first leg and isdisposed at a first angle relative to the first leg; and wherein thefirst rib extends outwardly from an intersection of the first and secondlegs and toward the side surface of the wall; and wherein the terminalend of the first rib is spaced a distance laterally from the sidesurface of the wall.
 6. The open top container as defined in claim 5,further comprising a second rib provided on the first region of the railand spaced a distance vertically from the first rib; wherein the secondrib also extends outwardly from the first region and toward the sidesurface of the wall; and wherein said second rib has a terminal end thatis spaced a distance from the side surface of the wall.
 7. The open topcontainer as defined in claim 5, wherein the first region includes athird leg that is secured to the second leg in end-to-end relationshipand the second and third legs are disposed at an angle to each other. 8.The open top container as defined in claim 7, wherein a second rib isprovided at an intersection of the second and third legs.
 9. The opentop container as defined in claim 7, wherein the second region of therail includes a base that is secured to the third leg of the firstregion in end-to-end relationship.
 10. The open top container as definedin claim 9, wherein the base and third leg are disposed at an angle toeach other.
 11. The open top container as defined in claim 7 wherein thesecond leg is 87.5% thicker than the first leg and wherein the third legis 67% thicker than the second leg.
 12. The open top container asdefined in claim 9, wherein the base is the substantially the samethickness as the third leg.
 13. The open top container as defined inclaim 7, wherein the first leg has a thickness of 0.2 inches; the secondleg has a thickness of 0.375 inches; the third leg has a thickness of0.625 inches, and wherein the base has a thickness of 0.625 inches. 14.An open top container comprising: a floor; a wall extending verticallyupwardly from the floor and bounding and defining a compartment adaptedto carry a load therein; a rail provided along an upper rim of the wall,said rail running substantially an entire length of the upper rim; andwherein the rail comprises: a generally U-shaped first region includinga first leg, a second leg, and a third leg secured to each other inend-to-end relationship; and a generally F-shaped second regioncomprising a base with a first arm and second arm extending outwardlyaway from a first side of the base; and wherein an end of the base issecured to a third leg of the arm; said second region being adapted toreceive the upper rim of the wall of the container between the first andsecond arms, where the second arm is substantially at an opposite end ofthe base from the third leg; and the first region is offset from thewall; and a first rib is provided on the first region, said first ribextending for substantially the entire length of the rail.
 15. The opentop container as defined in claim 14, wherein the first rib is spacedlaterally from the first and second arms and runs generally parallel tothe second arm.
 16. The open top container as defined in claim 14,wherein the first rib is positioned at a first intersection between thefirst leg and second leg of the first region or at a second intersectionbetween the second leg and the third leg.
 17. The open top container asdefined in claim 16, further comprising a second rib; said second ribbeing disposed a distance vertically away from the first rib andlaterally from the second arm; and wherein the second rib extends forsubstantially the entire length of the rail; and wherein the second ribis located at the other of the first and second intersections relativeto the first rib.
 18. The open top container as defined in claim 17,wherein the first and second ribs project for a distance outwardly fromthe first region and toward the second arm.
 19. The open top containeras defined in claim 17, wherein the first rib is located at the firstintersection and the first rib terminates at a position locatedvertically between a terminal end of the first arm and a terminal end ofthe second arm.
 20. The open top container as defined in claim 19,wherein the second rib is located at the second intersection and thesecond rib terminates at a position located vertically beneath theterminal ends of both of the first arm and the second arm.